Photokina 2012: Sony has officially announced the Cyber-shot DSC-RX1, a full-frame compact camera with a fixed 35mm F2 lens. The camera features a 36x24mm CMOS sensor and a leaf shutter for near-silent operation. It includes a manual aperture ring and dedicated exposure compensation dial for direct manual control. It can also capture video at frame rates of up to 1080p60 and includes a series of video-friendly features. As rumored, the camera will retail for around $2,800.

“The new Cyber-shot RX1 is truly ‘one of a kind’, offering a unique combination of size and performance that’s never before been realized in the world of digital cameras,” said Yosuke Tomoda, director of the Cyber-shot camera business at Sony Electronics. “With its highly advanced sensor and fast 35mm f/2.0 lens packed into a small, portable camera body, professionals, enthusiasts and advanced hobbyists can experience the world of full-frame imaging in new and different ways than they ever thought possible.”

The new camera’s unified lens and body design allows performance that few interchangeable lenses can match. The Carl Zeiss lens not only delivers spectacular image quality all the way to the edges of each frame, it incorporates a near-silent in-lens shutter and is far more compact than comparable lenses of interchangeable design. The camera also features full manual control options and an intuitive user interface, making it easy for photographers to adjust all settings quickly and easily.

The 35mm full-frame sensor inside the RX1 camera more than doubles the area of APS-C sensors commonly found in much bulkier DSLR cameras, allowing it to take in significantly more light while capturing content. With an effective resolution of 24.3 megapixels, it’s capable of resolving the finest image details and most subtle textures for rich color reproduction and an impressively broad dynamic range.

The large sensor size also boosts the camera’s sensitivity range to a generous ISO 100 – 25600, with the option to shoot as low as ISO 50 in expanded sensitivity mode. Similarly, ISO settings as high as 102400 can be achieved using Multi Frame Noise Reduction. This allows the camera to capture natural, low noise handheld images in near-dark conditions without needing flash.

The fast, bright Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm lens is a versatile choice for portraits, street photography and everyday shooting. This premium lens features newly designed optics including an Advanced Aspherical (AA) glass element, which contributes to the camera’s extremely compact dimensions without sacrificing optical performance.

The Cyber-shot RX1 camera also features an enhanced BIONZ® processing engine that rapidly handles data from the Exmor® CMOS sensor and also powers full-resolution burst shooting at up to five frames per second. The powerful processor can output image data in 14-bit RAW format, giving advanced users total freedom to express their creative vision throughout the shooting and post-production processes.

Despite the camera’s extraordinarily compact dimensions, the new Cyber-shot RX1 model offers a full range of manual control modes on par with typical high-end full-frame DSLR cameras. Dedicated lens rings allow for fingertip control of focus and aperture, while a DSLR-style Focus mode dial on the front of the camera enables easy switching between focus modes. Top-mounted exposure compensation and mode dials are strategically placed for simple access and operation, while custom function and AEL buttons on the back panel are also easily accessible.

The new camera features a Quick Navi mode that allows fast, intuitive adjustment of camera settings. This is especially useful when using the camera with an optional viewfinder (sold separately). A memory recall (MR) mode is accessible via the mode dial so photographers can store and instantly recall up to three sets of camera settings.

Other refinements include a MF Assist function that magnifies a portion of the image while framing to simplify fine focus adjustments, as well as a Peaking function that highlights sharply-focused areas of the image on screen.

Additionally, the RX1 camera features By Pixel Super Resolution digital zoom technology, which allows for magnification of image size without sacrificing pixel count. This results in far higher quality results than are achievable with conventional digital zoom.

A Smart Teleconverter function crops a central portion of the image sensor, boosting effective magnification by 1.4x or 2x realizing an effective 49mm or 70mm focal length. With the extremely high pixel count of the full-frame image sensor, even zoomed and cropped images maintain generous amounts of fine detail when blown up for large print sizes.

In addition to beautiful still images, the Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera can capture high-quality, low-noise Full HD movie footage in all lighting conditions at a choice of 60p or 24p (progressive) frame rates. There’s a full complement of P/A/S/M exposure modes during video shooting for creative flexibility.

The new camera also features 13 different Creative Styles for fine-tuning images, plus a wide range of Picture Effect treatments. Further, it has Auto HDR and D-Range Optimizer, bracket shooting (Exposure, DRO or White Balance) and Auto HDR shooting modes, and there’s a Digital Level Gauge that indicates camera pitch and camera roll on the LCD screen for straight, even landscape and architectural shots.

New Accessories for Cyber-shot RX1

Shooting possibilities for stills and video are broadened by the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe that accepts a growing range of accessories. Options include a high-quality OLED XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ EVF (model FDA-EV1MK) which allows for even greater manual focusing precision as well as an external optical viewfinder featuring Carl Zeiss optics (model FDA-V1K).

Also available are a thumb grip (model TGA-1) for sure, comfortable handling as well as a lens hood (model LHP-1) and jacket case (model LCJ-RXB).

Sony PlayMemories Services

The Cyber-shot RX1 comes preinstalled with PlayMemories Home™ (Lite Edition) software, allowing easy image transfers to a PC for managing, editing and printing. Available for free download, a full version of PlayMemories Home software adds movie editing and disc burning.

Also available for download, PlayMemories Studio™ allows game-like editing of photos and videos on PlayStation®3 systems. Images can be shared easily via PlayMemories Online™ service, the cloud-based sharing service from Sony that simplifies ‘any time, any place’ viewing on a wide range of connected devices.

Pricing and Availability

The Cyber-shot RX1 compact, fixed lens camera will be available this November for about $2800.

The FDA-EV1K electric viewfinder and FDA-V1K optical viewfinder will each be available at launch for about $450 and $600, respectively.

The thumb grip, lens hood and jacket case will also be available at launch for about $250, $180 and $250, respectively.

The new camera and all compatible accessories will be sold at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please visit blog.sony.com/rx1 for a full video preview of the new Cyber-shot RX1 compact camera and follow #SonyCamera on twitter for the latest camera news.

Comments

Well, if you want every one of your photos to be shot with a 35mm focal length and you don't mind paying nearly $3,000 for it, knock yourself out. Otherwise, this is the dumbest idea I've ever heard of, full-frame sensor or not.

Someone may have commented on this, bit according to the spec sheet, this camera has no image stabilization for still shots. Ludicrous. And another $1k+ for all the accessories? Really? And I'm a Minolta/Sony guy for the last 20 years.

Wonder what the boys who priced this were smoking? Probably the same as those who did the initial pricing for the Sigma SD1, or who did the licensing agreements for the BetaMax format (remember that?).If it gets you that far from reality, perhaps I should try it. :)

FF sensors are expensive. The Carl Zeiss f/2 lens is expensive. Those two things alone would make expensive. Then, giving it optical stabilization, a leaf shutter, beautiful build quality, and compacting it all down to something that can fit in the palm of your hand will also make it expensive. Plus, consider that it's the first camera of its kind. All these things considered, the price is about right.

The sutter is a leaf. At 1/2000. Your F stop may control when you can really use that high of a sutter speed. Good for electro sync. Also Carl Ziess Planar is top of the line, Sonnar is an also made. I have mostly seen it in tele lens. I do beleive it is a lens with a simpler formula. For the wide angle lens do they not use Biogon.The simplist is Tessar.

Here is my guess, There is a FF small size camera coming. R&D will be returned from FF camera, so expensive leaf shutter 35mm f2 zeiss camera still can have enough market to make money. For sure a FF e mount camera that take FF lens with an adaptor is just around the corner. In fact, the FF video camera already here. So look forward to a FF small compact camera with a body like this one. Would it come with some optional leaf shutter lenses? Well, hasselblad V series interchangable lenses are great to work with, it is great for day light flash. may be this coming camera is target for pro that likely to use day light flash. 1/2000 is very high for leaf shutter. Pros used to give up high lens speed, added cost of shutter in each lens, and lower max shutter speed. The CF lenses Vs the F lenses in V series explains why. I used to own 503cx and 2000FCM. This camera will allow image to show flash light to be much brighter than the sun light.

A 808 Pureview usually do a better work than this monster for street photography. People look at you and think "It's just a cell phone" and act normally. With this camera, your street pictures lack spontaneity. The only reason why I'd buy a FF mirrorless camera would be the chance to get my FD lenses back to life.

@SiliconVoid- A Leica M9 costs $6500. A Summicron-M 35mm f/2 costs $3200. The price of an RX1 is only $2800. Plus it has optical image stabilization, video, and a flash, none of which an M9 or Summicron-M has. And you can add an EVF, giving you all the advances viewfinder features that an EVF gives you. Plus, you have to remember that a lot of Leica shooters just shoot with only one lens anyway! So all things considered, it's a pretty darn GOOD trade for lower cost! Plus, the RX1 is more compact too!

A fool and his money are soon parted! Will there be 100 fools worldwide who buy this boondoggle?

At a price of almost $3,000 USD!!! Fixed lens...what was Sony thinking? 1/2000th max shutter speed...what was Sony thinking? Have to delve into a menu to make changes, such as shutter speed, etc...what was Sony thinking? No way to securely grip the camera with one hand...what was Sony thinking? No optical viewfinder...what was Sony thinking?

The list of what was Sony thinking is near endless. Pity the fool who buys into this boondoggle!

I totally see your point, just remember that its whats behind the camera that makes the art. comfortable convenient gear is just more comfortable and convenient it does not make better pictures. At the end of the day its just light being refracted onto a medium.

You are right with all.But I nevertheless say a friendly hello to the RX1 because Sony is brave to build ideas and not only talking about.... and give me hope that I will get a kind of "Digital Rollei 35" in the near future... (The Rollei 35 was my first camera and I'm missing it)

It's a beautiful camera with great physical controls. Most shooters will stick it on aperture priority, change aperture with the aperture ring on the lens, and use the exposure comp dial to make adjustments from there. Who needs to "delve into menu to make changes" as you falsely claim?

As for needing to hold the camera with one hand, what self respecting shooter does one-handed shooting? Besides, there is an optional grip, an optional grip case, and I'm sure there will be third party options, too. And there is an OVF and EVF option too.

Looks like Sony gave this camera quite a lot of thought. Certainly more than you did when you wrote your post. LOL.

So are you done whining like a baby? LOL.

Seriously, though, most people are simply complaining because they'll never be able to afford one. You must complain about car manufacturers who make cars you can't afford either. Hahahaha.

Is there a market for a fixed lens 35mm true full frame camera? I don't know, but if there is, then Sony will have a winner with their RX1. Sony is really rolling the dice on this one. It does make sense for Sony to spread the cost of development of the A99 over two distinctly different camera form factors instead of doing an obvious lower cost A99 clone. Might as well explore the depths of mirrorless camera acceptance in the marketplace while you're out there. They will either win it all or lose it all. Time will tell.

What the heck is Sony smoking these days. $2800.00 for a point and shoot camera is crazy. A full frame sensor in this limited format (35mm) will be not allow much creativity. The DOF will be limited by the focal range of the lens.

I just don't know what they were thinking, don't they do market research? Hell I don't know this may sell one or two units, but I really can't see anyone willing to spend that kind of money on this camera.

Sure there will be those that have more money than sense, but how many of those are they. Why not buy a Leica X2 and save $900.00 and have quality camera.

I guess their idea is that all other market segments are overcrowded. And here they create a new market segment, which might be small, but all for Sony and, without any competition in it, with huge margins too.

Sony steps up to the plate, knocks the dirt from their cleats, a practice swing to loosen up while assessing their competitor...Its a swing, and miss! Strike one.

The 'benefits' of a full frame sensor are all but lost without the ability to change lenses. A 35mm lens is just barely a wide angle lens. Sure it will be much wider than any APS-C user has seen on their cameras with a 35mm lens, but even the traditional/standard objective length for a wide angle is 28mm.

Back in the day there was a demand for 'film holders' with fixed lenses (justifiably at ~35mm also) but that market was met specifically because they were LESS EXPENSIVE.. Does Sony really think consumers want to spend as much as a good quality professional grade SLR only to end up with a fixed lens camera..? No lenses.. No viewfinder.. Not even EVF.. Not even a hybrid rangefinder style viewfinder.. A ~$2700 point and shoot..! Really?

The only positive, functional, thing about this will be the fostering of competition.

Look say what you want about Leica - they have 80 years of incredible designs, glass and heritage to warrant the price of their gear - they hit their mark with most everything they create. Now Sony wants us to think they can play at the same level as Leica - Lexis had to prove itself worthy of Benz money - they come close - albeit without a soul - but Sony? Look my advice to Sony would be to look at why Minolta is gone and then stop following their model - Minolta had great features in their cameras but couldn't build or buy glass. Until Sony figures out who they are and what they want to be when they grow up we will continue to get these near Genius or Retarded attempts - they do keep things interesting but I won't be buying into Sony until they can figure themselves out. (Leica, Nikon are decent business models - think mounts, compatibility and longevity)

Minolta had some superb lenses, most notably their M mount lenses for the CLE camera. Their 28mm blew the doors off my 28 Elmarit. Minolta's problem was redundancy--assuming an equivalent price level, there simply isn't any need for Minolta, Pentax, etc.

First Leica M body has build in optical rangefinder coupled to M mount that is an expensive precise piece of machinery and optics that takes a lot to manufacture on its own but let you focus manually accurately and swap lenses.

Second Leica M lenses are top notch among 35mm lenses. You want Leica M experience you have to purchase Leica M glass. I was using Konica HEXAR RF M lenses extensively in the past besides Leca M lenses so I know what I am talking about.

But this f2.0 Sony seems to be a perfect reporter companion or decent travel-family camera as well. However Sony does not deliver neither f0.9 no 50mm APO.

No viewfinder but an optical viewfinder may work nicely attached to the flash mount. Still for the price it is very hard to justify such a purchase for most. Perhaps in 5 years such an instrument will be affordable and more common.

I would also assume such a camera with interchangeable lenses would be just around the corner.

Cute, but way pass the value sweet spot. Even if I had the money to buy one. I would be paranoid of an accident so I wouldn't use it much.I am surprised that Sony decided to skip APS-C and go for full frame.In APS-C it would have been less than $1,000 with plenty of quality.I hope Sony sell a bunch of this just for trying.

Wow, 2800$ ? It looks nice. Maybe lens is really good. Maybe it appeals people that are very much into street photography? But otherwise it is just a huge price. I value "pocketability", but honestly for that price I can get a reflex + one or two very good lenses.

I guess this kind of camera is for pro or rich amateurs... and maybe it has more appeal on Japan/asiatic market.

Well put! Useless indeed! I have yet to come up with a scenario in which I would consider using a shutter speed slower than 1/4000 to take a photo. All I can say to Sony is "Get a brain, morans!" We don't want blurry photos using shutter speeds like 1/2000 only!

The Sony web site says 1/2000. of course, it also has the NEX-6 with a touchscreen, a feature that seems to have been removed late in the game, so I'm not sure if they're to be trusted. The RX100 also has this shutter speed limitation. They may use the same shutter.

I see the glass elements as small, why is the barrel that large for the lens ? And why does it say "35 mm full frame CMOS sensor" on the orange ring, aren't the crazy people spending 2800 on a fixed lens camera going to know that ?

I'd be less certain. Most tests show the actual resolution from those cameras as about the same as a 24-28mp Bayer sensor. Resolution is the Foveon party trick. Despite the claims of some, the color is not magic, just very good, as I expect this will also be. With a ff sensor, this could equal DP IQ even at low ISOs, and will definitely pass it by 400. IQ is about more than just resolution under optimal circumstances.

Complete waste of time. Can't believe they put a fixed lens. Such a slow lens as well. Could have produced a legendary cam if they made it interchangeable. Those Sony marketing people need to be sacked.

But a 5DII with lens is huge compared to the RX1. If you walk down the street or into a room with a 5DII, you stick out like a sore thumb. If you want to keep a low profile, the RX1 is awesome. Not only is it physically small, it's also un-intimidating because it looks like a compact P&S! Plus, it has a virtually silent leaf shutter. No DSLR mirror slap, no DSLR shutter curtain sound. Again, great for being unobtrusive and keeping a low profile. Plus, it's optically stabilized which can also be a big advantage.

To give you an idea of just how small the RX1 is, the distance from the front of the lens to the back of the body is 70mm. The thickness of a 5DII body alone (no lens attached) is 75mm! So the entire thickness of the RX1 is less than the thickness of a 5DII body all by itself!

Talking like a true m4/3 fanboy. Comparing 150mm equivalent lens to a 35mm equivalent lens (by the way, good luck with your street photography at 150mm) is just hilarious. And I agree that your big silver 75mm would be much stealthier /sarcasm.

Leaf shutters are very quiet and they offer flash synch at all speeds. I find it funny that so many people want to shoot this thing at full aperture regardless of the situation. If you like oof rendering, you'd be a lot better off with a longer lens. Even a 50mm can really separate things from the background. Fast wide angles are for shooting in low light. There isn't a great reason for ND filters for this camera since the lens is a moderate wide angle.

@lxstorm: I don't think it will use a "real" Zeiss Lensalso I don't think Zeiss glasses will be used eitherjust like Leica on Panasonic product......they were "designed by" Zeiss (or Leica on Pana)huge difference compared to the lens which really "made by" Zeiss (or Leica)

Reports say this is a real designed-and-made-by Zeiss lens. Without real Zeiss glass the price would be nuts, but with, sounds about right. They are aiming at Leica here. With a good Zeiss lens, and I'd take this any day over an X2. The IQ will be substantially better and it has more features (like good video specs.)

Am I reading this right, it is over two and a half grand, but it is -not- weather sealed? Correct me if I am wrong! I just searched briefly on the web, and I could not find any such mention. I bet the images are breathtaking ... but, that is one heck of an omission in my mind, for such a premium model.

Well (after combing further through specification lists on all manner of sites) I am glad that Sony at least will offer accessory viewfinders. An enthusiast camera NEEDS a good viewfinder, and I hope that others manufacturers take note of that as well. Sony makes some of the best viewfinders, from everything I see and hear.

This is a niche product just like a Leica. So if you're into this stuff, I think the price is fair of the combo offers excellent IQ. Personally, I will wait for the over-priced NEX-9 or the rumored steak sauce camera.